Switch.



PATBNTED MAR. s, 1903.

J. N. KELMAN. y

SWITCH.

APPLIGATIONILED JAN. 30, 1902.

N0 MODEL.

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J. N. KELMAN.

SWITCH. v

APPLIGATION FILED JAN. so, 1902.

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No MODEL.

gi/cono UNITED STATES PATENT OEEICE.

JOSEPH NELSON KELMAN, OF COLGATE, CALIFORNIA.

SWITCH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N o. 722,024, dated March 3, 1903.

Application filed `l'anuary 30,1902. Serial No. 91,817. (No model T0 all whom t may concern,.-

Be it known that l, JOSEPH NELsoN KEL- MAN, a-citizen of the United States, residing at Colgate, Yuba county, State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Switches, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

My invention lrelates to switches for interrupting high-potential circuits, and has for its object to provide an apparatus which is safe and effective in operation.

The following is a description of a switch embodying myinvention, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a longitudinal section. Fig. 2 shows certain parts in cross-section. Fig. 3 is a det-ail view of a catch. Figs. 4 and 5 are sectional views of the same on the lines w and y y, Fig. 3.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, A A are two terminals to which the conductors a a are connected. These terminals A A are located in separate chambers B B', which are contained in still larger chambers C C,the intervening spaces D D being filled with suitable non-conducting liquid, such as oil. The inner chambersrest on insulating-blocks b b, while the outer chambers are supported by insulators c c. The inner chambers B B are each partly filled with water E, the remaining spaces being filled with oil or similar liquid F. The two chambers are closed by covers G G', having slots to admit blades H H', which are electrically connected by the conductor I in the insulating cross-bar J.

K is a frame or support having a pulley L, over which runs the rope m, which is connected to the cross-bar .I and by means of which the bar and blades can be raised and lowered. The frame KV has notches 7c 7e', in which fit lugs N N, held in recesses in a baseplate M, to which the rope m is attached, which are held in an extended position by the spring O, acting on the slotted slide P, into whose slots pins n from the lugs N N project. To the bottom of the slide P is attached a second rope Q. Then the rope m is pulled, the blades rise until the lugs reach the notches k 7c', when they are forced out and hold the blades in an elevated position.

In elevating the blades H H it is to be noted that when they first leave the terminals they are entirely submerged in Water or a similar liquid, which will have greater or less conductivity, depending on its purity or nature. The resistance between the terminals increases as the blades are farther removed from the terminals. As their ends pass through the oil the resistance is vastly increased, though gradually, since the water follows the blades a short distance into the oil, making the, resistance higher than that of the main body of Water and llowerthan that of the oil. By oil and water I mean any liquids having similar conducting qualities and specific gravities. It will thus be seen that the resistance is gradually introduced until the circuit is completely interrupted without dangerous sparking or dangerous shock to the attendant or apparatus in the system, such as generatorsror transformers,V or the lines. The drawing of the blades entirely out of the oilgives a final separation in air and removes any doubt as to whether the circuit is open or not. 'When the circuit is open, the exposed blades are dead and all live terminals are separated from the outside tank or chamber by an inch, more or less, of oil and porcelain. If desired, the inner tank may be made of porcelain also. When it is desired to lower the blades, the rope m is first pulled taut, and then the rope Q, which latter pull will move the slide P and force the lugs in until they disengage the notches Zola', permitting the blades to be lowered. The necessity of this manipulation makes it practically impossible for the blades to be lowered unintentionally. In closing the' switch the circuit is first closed through a high resistance, tending to prevent the eX- treme rise in voltage at the end of a long line dueto too sudden closing of the circuit.

l. In a switch for high-potential circuits in combination, a terminal, a vessel containing said terminal, and filled with thick layers of oil and water and a contact member adapted to pass through said oil and water and make and break contact with said terminal.

2. In a switch for high-potential circuits the combination of two terminals, contained in separate chambers, filled with vthick layers of oil and water and electrically-connected ICO blades adapted to pass through said oil and Water and make and break contact with said terminals.

3. In a switch for high-potential circuits the combination of two separate vessels containing oil and water, and contained in separate chambers also containing oil, terminals in each of said Vessels, and electrically-com nected blades adapted to pass through said oil and water and make and break contact with said terminals.

4. In a switch for high-potential circuits the combination of two vessels each containing thick layers of oil and water, terminals in each of said vessels, two electrically-connected blades adapted to pass through said eiland water and make and break contact with said terminals, and means for raising the ends of said blades into the air, and lowering them into contact with said terminals.

5. In a switch for highpotential circuits the combination of vessels B, B', containing thick layers of oil and Water, terminals A, A', therein, electrically-connected blades II, H',

adapted to engage therewith and means for raising and lowering said blades.

G. In a switch for high-potential-circnits operating mechanism the combination of a frame K having notches, a base-plate carrying lugs N, N, a slide P engaging therewith and ropes for operating said base-plate and slide.

7. In a switch for high-potential circuits in combination two separated vessels each containing thick layers of oil and water, terminals in each of said Vessels submerged in said water, two electrically-connected blades adapted to pass through said oil and water and make Contact with said terminals, means for raising and lowering said blades, and insulating-supports for said Vessels.

Signed at Dobbins, California, this 22d day of January, 1902.

J. NELSON KELMAN.

Witnesses:

WILLIAM SLINGsBY, ALEX. MCLEAN. 

